Panaji | June 18, 2025
On the occasion of Goa Revolution Day, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) launched a scathing attack on the BJP-led state government, accusing it of cancelling the free water scheme under the pretext of ₹6 crore losses while allegedly shielding scams worth over ₹10,000 crores.
Led by Benaulim MLA Capt. Venzy Viegas, Velim MLA Cruz Silva, AAP Goa President Adv. Amit Palekar, and senior leader Valmiki Naik, AAP observed the historic day by first paying floral tributes at the Azad Maidan Martyrs’ Memorial. The leaders honoured the spirit of the 1946 Goa Liberation movement initiated by Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia.
Later, AAP workers attempted a peaceful march to the BJP state office, symbolically carrying a 12-headed Ravan effigy representing the allegedly corrupt BJP cabinet. The protest, however, was blocked by heavy police presence deployed under what the party labelled a “Salazar-style crackdown” by the Sawant government.
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💬 Leaders Lash Out at BJP Over Scheme Cancellation and Corruption
Addressing the media, AAP leaders said the BJP’s decision to scrap the Free Water Scheme was not about saving public funds but a political move to cover its failures.
“The Free Water Scheme was a poorly-designed jumla to counter our Veez Andolan. It was never meant to help people and was always destined to be scrapped,” said MLA Venzy Viegas.
MLA Cruz Silva called out the BJP for betraying the legacy of Goa’s freedom fighters.
“We’re witnessing the worst governance since Liberation. This government is steeped in corruption, suppressing voices and selling out Goa’s land, identity, and dignity,” he said.
Adv. Amit Palekar strongly objected to CM Pramod Sawant branding Goans as “chors” for misusing the water scheme.
“Even if 50,000 people misused the scheme, the cost is ₹6 crore—a tiny amount compared to the crores wasted on BJP’s own luxuries. Why punish everyone instead of penalizing the defaulters?”
“The real ‘chor’ is the BJP Cabinet, enjoying free water, electricity, fuel and lavish benefits while denying relief to common Goans.”
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💰 AAP Lists 13 Major Scams Under BJP Worth Over ₹10,000 Crores
AAP leader Valmiki Naik presented a detailed list of alleged scams that occurred during the BJP’s tenure, adding up to a massive ₹10,040 crore loss to the state. These included:
Scam Estimated Loss (₹ Cr)
Land Grab Scam 2,500
TCP Conversion Scam 5,000
Smart City Scam 1,000
EDC Scam 300
Government Contracts Scam 300
Garbage Scam 160
Beach Cleaning Scam 80
Covid-19 Relief Scam 200
PWD Recruitment Scam 70
Kala Academy Scam 80
National Games Scam 100
Excise Scam 200
Tribal Welfare Scam 50
“From jobs to land, from sports to garbage, the BJP government has looted every corner of Goa,” said Valmiki. “Yet they dare to call Goans chors over water bills. The real chor sits in the Cabinet.”
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⚠️ Call to Action Across Goa
The AAP ended the event with a clarion call to the people of Goa to reject the BJP’s “betrayal disguised as governance.” The party pledged to continue its fight across every panchayat and constituency to ensure honest governance and restoration of dignity for the people.
“Goa deserves better. Goa deserves dignity, not deception,” said Adv. Palekar.
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📌 Summary:
While the BJP government cites a ₹6 crore annual loss to scrap a basic utility relief, the Aam Aadmi Party accuses it of shielding scams that total over ₹10,000 crore. AAP’s Revolution Day protest was more than symbolic—it was a full-throated charge against a government they call corrupt, disconnected, and dangerous for Goa’s future.
